Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tráfico | /ˈtɾafiko/ | masculine |
| tránsito | /ˈtɾansito/ | Latin America, masculine |
| circulación | /θiɾkulaˈθjon/ /siɾkulaˈsjon/ |
feminine |
The term refers to the movement of pedestrians or vehicles on roads or in the air. To specify that traffic is "heavy," you should use the adjective pesado with tráfico, forming the phrase tráfico pesado.
Which one should you use?
While tráfico is the standard term, tránsito is a common synonym used specifically to emphasize the movement or transit of vehicles along roads or streets. Circulación is used when you want to describe the flow or circulation of vehicles in a certain area rather than the congestion itself.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, tránsito is a common synonym for tráfico regarding the movement of vehicles and the informal term tranca is also frequently used there to describe heavy traffic.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
tráfico and tránsito are masculine nouns, while circulación is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtɾafiko/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, the word tráfico can also refer to the illegal trade or smuggling of goods.
- In some Latin American countries, a traffic jam is colloquially called a tranca, which literally means 'bolt' or 'bar' used to lock a door.
- The English word 'traffic' and the Spanish tráfico both descend from the Italian word 'traffico', which originally related to the concept of 'trading' or 'commerce'.
Examples in context
- No había mucho tráfico.There wasn't much traffic.This sentence shows how to express that there was not much traffic using tráfico.Tatoeba #1003083 by hayastan, translation #990682 by CK
- No me agrada el tráfico.I don't like the traffic.This sentence expresses a dislike for the traffic using tráfico.Tatoeba #1991805 by marcelostockle, translation #240349 by CK
- Perdón. Había mucho tráfico.Sorry. Traffic was heavy.This sentence is a way to apologize and state that traffic was heavy using tráfico.Tatoeba #1399962 by marcelostockle, translation #56384 by sundown
- El tráfico está congestionado en esta zona.The traffic is congested in this area.
- El tránsito pesado está generando un enorme embotellamiento.The heavy traffic is causing a massive traffic jam.
- ¿Cómo vas a llegar aquí con este tráfico?How will you get here with this traffic?
- Hay un embotellamiento enorme en el centro de la ciudad.There's a massive traffic jam in the city center.
- 153 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are talking on the phone about her arrival time.
- Mateo¿Por qué tardas tanto, Sofía?Why are you taking so long, Sofía?
- SofíaHay demasiado tráfico en la ciudad.There is too much traffic in the city.
- MateoEs el tráfico de la hora pico.It is the rush hour traffic.
- SofíaSí, llegaré tarde por el tráfico.Yes, I will be late because of the traffic.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “traffic” translations and entries tráfico, tránsito, circulación, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries circulación, tráfico, tránsito, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
